New Things to do in Breckenridge, Part Two

The view of the Town of Breckenridge (coming down Ski Hill Road). October 2018

I’ve been visiting Breckenridge for the good part of two decades and like many Coloradans, I’ve come to love specific places in Breckenridge. However, as someone who is here to impart new information to HeidiTown citizens, I can’t get stuck in a rut, even if its a delicious rut, so on that last couple of trips, we’ve made it a point to seek out new spots to eat and stay in Breckenridge.

Stay at Peak 8

At the end of October, we stayed at Grand Colorado on Peak 8. This new property, located at the base of Peak 8, is undergoing its final phase of construction and will be entirely complete next year. Our room, a one bedroom suite with kitchenette and sitting room, still had that “new property” smell.

Grand Colorado on Peak 8 (courtesy photo)

I’ve stayed at a lot of properties across Colorado and Grand Colorado on Peak 8 offers some of the best amenities I’ve seen including four movie theaters complete with popcorn. Sign up for one at the front desk. Not to mention, at Grand Colorado on Peak 8, you can ski out the front door.

Skiing at Grand Colorado at Peak 8 (courtesy photo)

We spent most of Sunday afternoon lounging in the sunshine in the pool area and it was fantastic.

We grabbed lunch and drinks at Robbie’s Tavern, just below the pool area, where we encountered Cameron (aka “Cam”), one of the nicest bartenders in Breckenridge. Robbie’s serves up tavern food including a top-notch pita with addictive fries. The best part? It’s locally owned and operated. Cam makes a scumptious bloody Mary too.

Ryan enjoying one of the hot tubs in the gorgeous pool area of Grand Colorado on Peak 8.

Grand Colorado on Peak 8 is located up Ski Hill Road. It’s easy to take the property’s free shuttle back and forth to town. We utilized it throughout our stay.

Drink Craft Spirits

I was in town for Still on the Hill, Breckenridge’s craft distillery festival. As home to Breckenridge Distillery, it’s not surprising that this is one of the longest running (if not the longest running) craft distillery event in Colorado. What is surprising is that I haven’t covered it before.

The view from the line to get into Riverwalk Center for Still on the Hill, a craft spirit festival.

Breckenridge does festivals really well and Still on the Hill is no exception. Held at Riverwalk Center, the festival was crowded but we never waited in a line to try a spirit because there were so many represented. Happily, many of the distillers were present and more than willing to chat about their wares.

If you love spirits, Still on the Hill in Breckenridge should be on your list.

Dining in Breckenridge

As readers know, I am on a taco kick so we grabbed dinner after the festival at Sancho Taco. This new Breckenridge taco joint has become popular with locals who like the fresh taste and great prices. You can buy a taco a la carte here for $3.75. The place has an upbeat vibe and while the tacos were “pretty good,” they do have a decent tequila selection. Sancho Taco is definitely a place we’d eat at again.

On our last night in town, we ate at PHO REAL, a tiny Vietnamese restaurant off of Main Street. A warm bowl of pho or vermicelli that’s fast and relatively affordable ($10-$13) hits the spot on a chilly Breckenridge day.

I know my goal was to eat only at new places while in Breckenridge but on our last morning we broke the rule and dined at Daylight Donuts. This cash-only breakfast establishment is a Breckenridge tradition and a personal tradition. Despite the fact that we always drop in early in the morning, the staff is friendly and the donuts are hot.

For those of you who know me really well, you can see that this booth at Daylight Donuts seems to be made for me.